Travel in the Port City of Southampton
The city of Southampton is the second largest port city in England, featuring one of the largest and busiest cruise ports in the world.
On the day I recently sailed from it, there were six huge cruise ships docked, meaning tens of thousands of passengers visited the city on that single day—half of them disembarking and half embarking on the same day. Many travelers simply arrive in the city and board their cruise ship immediately, or disembark and usually head straight to London. However, I recommend arriving at least one full day before or staying a day after your cruise. The city certainly has a lot to offer tourists: an Old Town with well-preserved historic houses and medieval walls where you can walk along sections, alongside beautiful, well-maintained marinas and vibrant shopping centers.
The landscaping throughout the city is lovely, with private gardens overflowing with flowers and a variety of city parks. It is a pleasure to explore on foot: a flat city with a compact city center and many pedestrian-only streets. In the city center, there are several hotels from which it is easy and convenient to tour all parts of the town. It is located just a 1.5-hour drive from Heathrow Airport. It is advisable to book private transfers in advance from London to the city and back. Recommended transfers:
Recommended private transfer bookings between London and Southampton from Viator:
♦ Private transfer from London to Southampton: London to Southampton Cruise Terminals Private Port Transfer
♦ Private transfer from Southampton cruise port to airport or hotel in London:
Southampton Cruise Terminals to London Private Arrival Transfer
Right in the city center, very close to the port, there are several recommended hotels from which you can easily walk to most of the attractions and shopping centers detailed below.
Recommended Hotels in Southampton:
♦ Holiday Inn Southampton - A 4-star hotel offering breakfast close to the cruise terminals. Spacious and modern rooms. Features an on-site bar and restaurant.
♦ Moxy Southampton - Another 4-star hotel, part of the Marriott chain. Rooms are relatively compact, but the location is prime central and the breakfast is great. Features a bar and restaurant.
♦ THE PIG-in the wall - A boutique hotel with a bar located in the heart of Southampton's Old Town, set right into the historic medieval wall.
It is also highly recommended to combine a few days of touring in London before or after your cruise. Extensive information on sightseeing and recommended hotels in London can be found in my article: London Travel Itineraries.
Cruising from England
Cruises departing from England made a major comeback in 2022, perhaps even more than ever before, as certain destinations had not yet fully resumed operations (such as cruises in Asia, Australia, or the Baltic Sea). Their place has been filled with voyages from England to Scandinavia, Iceland, the British Isles, Western Europe, and more. Ships sailing out of Southampton Port include the newest and largest flagships of leading cruise lines: Royal Caribbean, Princess, Celebrity, MSC, P&O, and others. The modern hotel at the marina was even built in the shape of a ship. The port is located right next to the historic city center, and from almost every corner of town you can spot these massive ships blending into the scenery.
More detailed information in the article about cruising from Southampton: Norway and Iceland Cruise on the Sky Princess
Shopping in Southampton
Southampton is also a wonderful destination for shopping enthusiasts. Just a short walk from the central hotels, on Harbour Parade, you will find the large WestQuay shopping centre featuring over 100 stores with famous brands including H&M, Victoria's Secret, and more, as well as dining options (food court) and a cinema.
This street is also a bustling pedestrian zone with many budget-friendly shops, including the popular Primark.
Along the docks and around the marina is a shopping and entertainment complex called Ocean Village.
Attractions and Tours in Southampton
Old Town Walking Tour
In Southampton's Old Town centre, bordering the port, stands the third longest surviving stretch of medieval town wall in England. You can walk along sections of this wall and view the surrounding historical buildings.
Near the port stands God's House Tower, a cornerstone of the Old Town that also operates as a museum and arts venue.
Another historic building worth visiting in the Old Town:
Tudor House & Garden – A historic timber-framed building dating back to the late 15th century, located in the heart of the Old Town.
For church and architecture enthusiasts, a visit to the historic St Michael's Church is highly recommended. Founded in 1070, it is the oldest building in Southampton still actively in use.
SeaCity Museum
The city houses several museums, the most prominent being the SeaCity Museum. Visiting this museum is essential to understanding the city and its unique heritage as a major historic port in England. The museum features two main wings: one dedicated to Southampton's broader history, and the other focusing on the tragic sinking of the Titanic.
From 1907, Southampton became England's premier passenger port, and it was from here that the RMS Titanic departed in 1912 on its fateful maiden voyage. The tragedy was felt most acutely in Southampton, where around 500 local families lost loved ones. More than three-quarters of the ship's crew—715 people—hailed from Southampton, and only 175 of them survived.
The photos marked in red show Titanic crew members who were residents of Southampton (photographed from a display at the museum):
The sequence of events surrounding the disaster is presented in detail at the museum, including the official inquiry into the sinking.
Around a dozen Titanic memorials are scattered across the city center. At the museum, you can pick up a map showing their locations, or view and print the map from the museum's website. Among the memorials is a monument dedicated to the 35 Titanic engineers, none of whom survived, as well as a memorial honoring the ship's musicians.
Memorial to the Titanic Engineers:
Street sign commemorating the Titanic:
For those interested, a recommended 2-hour guided walking tour exploring the secrets of the Titanic can be booked via Viator:
Walk the Secrets of the Titanic
Solent Sky Museum
A museum dedicated to the region's aviation history, showcasing historic aircraft such as the legendary Spitfire and more.
Art Gallery - Southampton City Art Gallery
A free-entry art gallery featuring diverse exhibitions; current displays can be checked on their official website.
Ferry Cruise to Hythe
The ferry departs from the Town Quay pier for a 15-minute crossing that offers wonderful views from the water of the city and its busy port with docked cruise ships. You can also explore the village of Hythe, where you arrive at one of the ten longest piers in England (640 meters long) and ride into town on the world's oldest continuously operating pier train, dating back to 1909.
Boat & Yacht Show
The largest in the UK, lasting ten days in mid-September and held at Mayflower Park.
More information about the city:
https://visitsouthampton.co.uk/
Recommended Restaurants in Southampton:
♦ La Tavernetta – Italian restaurant, Mediterranean food, pastas, and pizzas (gluten-free options available).
Address: 1-3 Civic Centre Rd, Southampton SO14 7FJ, United Kingdom
♦ 5 Rivers Sports Bar – Restaurant / bar serving Indian cuisine, including vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Address: The Dungeon, 30 Bevois Valley Rd, Southampton SO14 0JR, United Kingdom
♦ Max's Brasserie – Sicilian Italian restaurant, including seafood specialties.
Address: 40 Oxford St, Southampton SO14 3DP, United Kingdom
♦ Dhaba59 – Indian and Asian restaurant, including vegetarian options.
Address: 59 Lodge Rd, Southampton SO14 6RH, United Kingdom
♦ A variety of fast food options (food court) can also be found at the large WestQuay shopping centre mentioned earlier in the article.